2Plate TectonicsPlate tectonics is a proven “theory” that describes the formation, movement, and interaction of lithospheric plates over a plastic asthenosphere.Lithosphere – is broken into plates that ride on the asthenosphere. (rigid mantle and crust)Asthenosphere – is the “plastic” mantle. (movement mechanism for lithosphere)

4Drifting ContinentsWhat caused people to consider that the earth’s surface might be moving?Shape of South America and AfricaFossil evidenceAnd much later…bands of reverse magnetism in igneous rock on the ocean floor.

5Principles of Plate TectonicsThe lithospheric plates are made of both continental and oceanic crust, and cover the entire earth surface.As plates move…so do the continents.Plate tectonics explains how new crust forms and why earthquakes and volcanoes are located in concentrated belts.

6Evidence of Plate TectonicsEvidence that we use today to observe plate tectonics for minor crustal movement:FoldsFaultsDisplaced fossilsDisplaced strata

7EvidenceFolds – occur when rocks are deformed slowly due to pressure.

8EvidenceFaults – happen when rocks are deformed quickly due to pressure of tension.

9Evidence Displaced fossils –Marine fossils found high above sea level.Uplift of land (Grand Canyon, Alps, Rocky MountainsFossils of land organisms (plants and animals) found below sea level.Subsidence of land (Gulf of Mexico)

11EvidenceEvidence that we use today to observe plate tectonics for major crustal movement:Movement of plates (G.P.S.)Mountain RangesRift Zones

12How does it work?How can we assume that the processes that occur today…formed the “evidence” that we see from events of the past?Uniformitarianism – the laws of nature have not changed (ex. Gravity, weathering, erosion and deposition) …”the present is the key to the past”

13Start of Plate TectonicsWhere did the theory of plate tectonics start?Observations1. Similarities in the shape of continents.2. Mesosaurus (lived about 270 m.y.a) fossils are found in both South America and Africa.Theory of Continental Drift – proposed by Alfred Wegner in 1912- He used observations above to propose plate movement- Downfalls of his theory…was he could never explain the mechanism for movement.

15Theory of Plate TectonicsPlate Boundaries – tectonics plates touch at locations called plate boundaries. There are 3 main types of plate boundaries, based on how the plates are moving in relation to each other.Convergent boundariesDivergent boundariesTransform boundaries

24Causes of Plate MotionStill much to be discovered in this area, but we have a better explanation of a mechanism for plate movement.Mantle Convection

25Convection explained…Convection: the transfer of thermal energy by the movement of heated matter.Heated matter will expand.Matter that expands becomes less dense.Less dense matter rises in more dense matter.

27Mantle ConvectionThe mantle is heated unevenly by deeper layers of the asthenosphere.As the lower parts of the mantle are heated they start to rise.As they rise, they enter colder regions of the mantle and begin to cool.This cooler mantle material will begin to sink…thus creating a convection cell.

28Mantle ConvectionThese convection cells in the mantle can move the lithosphere (plates) in several ways.

29Types of MovementPush – the weight of the uplifted rock at the ridge will push the crust away from the ridge.Pull – the weight of a subducted plate pulls the rest of the plate down into the Earth.